The drug operation allegedly distributed more than 100 kilograms of meth within 5 months. The drugs are valued at $3.5 million.

Author:
Donesha Aldridge

Published:
2:09 PM EST January 11, 2019

Updated:
2:09 AM EST January 13, 2019

After a five-month investigation, law enforcement officers on the local, state and federal level were able to dismantle a multi-million drug trafficking operation.

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

They allege Fricks' operation is responsible for distributing more than 100 kilograms of meth within five short months. The drugs are street-valued at $3.5 million.

"Operation Tighten Up" was a collaboration between several agencies.

The Banks and Jackson County sheriff's offices worked with ARDEO, the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office, and a federal task force.

ARDEO said investigators were able to share information with the different agencies to help dismantle the drug operation. A few other local police and sheriff's offices helped with the investigation.

Multiple charges have been brought against these persons under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization statue.

Law enforcement seized about nine pounds of crystal methamphetamine, one ounce of marijuana, $13,000 in cash, firearms and numerous vehicle. The street value of the seized narcotics was $155,000.

Mugshots of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' drug trafficking organization

Dwayne Eldon Fricks, 52, of Maysville, Ga.

Brandon Dwight Wood, 37, of Maysville, Ga.

Stephanie Mae Pritchett, 38, of Winder

Timothy 'Freebird' Freeman, 59, of Gainesville

William Dale Gray, 47 of Commerce

Michael Douglas Gribble, 42, of Commerce

Matthew Lee Gerrin, 31, of Gillsville

James Christopher Hood, 34, of Gainesville, Ga.

Jared Cody Elder, 26, of Cleveland, Ga.

Gary 'Red' Loyd Brown, 56, of Dahlonega, Ga.

Chelsea Mangum Fricks, 28, of Gainesville, Ga.

Larry 'Little Man' Dwayne Fricks, 27, of Gainesville, Ga.

01/12

Dwayne Eldon Fricks, 52, of Maysville, Ga.

02/12

Brandon Dwight Wood, 37, of Maysville, Ga.

03/12

Stephanie Mae Pritchett, 38, of Winder

04/12

Timothy 'Freebird' Freeman, 59, of Gainesville

05/12

William Dale Gray, 47 of Commerce

06/12

Michael Douglas Gribble, 42, of Commerce

07/12

Matthew Lee Gerrin, 31, of Gillsville

08/12

James Christopher Hood, 34, of Gainesville, Ga.

09/12

Jared Cody Elder, 26, of Cleveland, Ga.

10/12

Gary 'Red' Loyd Brown, 56, of Dahlonega, Ga.

11/12

Chelsea Mangum Fricks, 28, of Gainesville, Ga.

12/12

Larry 'Little Man' Dwayne Fricks, 27, of Gainesville, Ga.

Fifteen people were arrested over the course of ten searches and multiple Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) charges have been brought against the following people:

Larry 'Little Man' Dwayne Fricks, 27, of Gainesville

Michael Douglas Gribble, 42, of Commerce

Stephanie Mae Pritchett, 38, of Winder

Chelsea Mangum Fricks, 28, of Gainesville

Brandon Dwight Wood, 37, of Maysville

Dwayne Eldon Fricks, 52, of Maysville

James Christopher Hood, 34, of Gainesville

Walter Cecil Whitehead IV, 45, of Braselton

Jared Cody Elder, 26, of Cleveland

Timothy 'Freebird' Freeman, 59, of Gainesville

Matthew Lee Gerrin, 31, of Gillsville

Marty 'Go Hard' Thomas, 36, of Hancock State Prison

Gary 'Red' Loyd Brown, 56, of Dahlonega

William Dale Gray, 47, of Commerce

All of those arrested were transported to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. The remaining outstanding warrant is for 59-year-old Rickie Nation of Maysville, Ga.

Rickie Nation, 59, of Maysville, Ga., remains at large. If anyone has information regarding his whereabouts, they are asked to contact their local law enforcement.

ARDEO

Anyone who knows of Nation's whereabouts is asked to contact the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office at 706-348-7410 or your local police department.

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

01/04

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

02/04

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

03/04

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

04/04

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.